Zion's reactor site needs second look

At a time when coal and oil are being condemned as sources of energy because the CO2 produced is being blamed for global warming, nuclear reactors are reliable solutions to providing energy need; accordingly, Zion's reactor site deserves a second look. Both units were retired on Feb. 13, 1998. Importantly, nuclear reactors do not emit carbon dioxide by contributing to global warming mania.

Given president-elect Barack Obama's announced cap and trade policy to cut carbon emissions by a whopping 80 percent by 2020, it would be economic suicide for this nation not to invest in more nuclear power. France gets 77 percent of its electricity from nuclear reactors.

Was it really necessary to shutter Zion's dual-reactor nuclear plant? Recently I spoke with David Hollein, formerly the Westinghouse Project Engineer for all the Commonwealth Nuclear Plants built by Westinghouse and General Electric. David Hollein had an interesting story to relate. Mr. Hollein believes that there was no need to shutter the two operating Zion Nuclear Plants. Some steam generator tubes were found leaking in both Zion Nuclear Plants, but the tubes were closed off and the plants continued to run without jeopardizing the employees, the area citizens or the environment. Even so the steam generators could have been replaced.

ComEd noted that the cost of replacing the steam generators would have amounted to $435 million, but that the investment would not have paid off given the expiration in 2013 of the two unit plant operating licenses. According to Hollein, placing time limits on licensing is bunk and older plants can be made safe and updated through routine maintenance to extend the life of the plant.

The Zion Nuclear Plants were included in a list of Westinghouse Nuclear Plants as part of a multi-utility steam generator court suit, but the closing of the two Zion Nuclear Plants was never the thrust of this class action court suit. What transpired was an out-of-court agreement between ComEd and Westinghouse to shut down the Zion Nuclear Plants shortly after Mr. Hollein testified at the discovery phase of the trial. ComEd went further and had the court seal the agreement with Westinghouse.

This "secret" agreement seems to go against the public's right to know. In Hollein's opinion both Zion Nuclear Plants can and should be restarted.

The Zion units served Chicago and the northern quarter Illinois where energy needs must keep pace with ever-growing demands. It is time for citizens in northern Illinois to become involved by calling their state representatives and senators to demand answers. The General Assembly should invite David Hollein to present his findings. Public hearings are also called for. Refusing to build or use existing nuclear plants here in Illinois and across this nation could result in a substantial loss of this country's standard of living.

Nancy J. Thorner

Lake Bluff